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“Death Comes to Dogwood Manor” By Sandra Bretting: Review/Giveaway

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of Death Comes to Dogwood Manor, and a links to purchase it.

Hats Off to Missy DuBois!

First published in May 2016 with Murder at Morningside, Sandra Bretting has penned a delightful four-book Southern gem starring Mellissa DuBois, owner of Crowning Glory. Set on Louisiana’s Great River Road Missy’s millinery caters to the sophisticated Southern bride with a variety of lovely hats, headpieces, and hand-crafted veils for their perfect day. Along with her employee Beatrice and childhood friend/local cop Lance LaPorte, she works professionally and personally with best friend turned beau Ambrose “Bo” Jackson, who designs couture wedding dresses. Unfortunately, as of late, she's found murder has joined the group. From an unfortunate bride to a friend and realtor to a wedding planner, and now a developer, Bleu Bayou is unmasked and delightful mayhem is exposed.

Missy has had a bit of a fender bender accidentally sideswiping the Rolls of local billionaire/property developer Herbert Solomon. She has had previous run-ins with the man and doesn't feel a note confessing her error is the proper response, so she heads into the construction area to find him for a “face to face.” Dogwood Manor is one of the antebellum manors Solomon has purchased and is converting into a high-end hotel changing an historic area into “hotel row.” His plans and his uber-controlling manner have put him at odds with the contractors, designers, and most of the locals, so when Missy finds his dead body, she is suspicious that a “heart attack” is the real cause of death…way too many are not adequately mourning the man’s demise. Along with delving deeper into his death, she has brides demanding their veils, a magazine arriving for an interview and photographs, concerns about the shop’s decor, and a romantic entanglement to enjoy. Then, of course, there's the barbecue.

Image Source Lyrical

New to the series, I am now a big fan of Sandra Bretting’s Missy DuBois Mystery, and starting with the fourth book did not put me at a disadvantage. There are several references to background and character connections to keep me totally engaged, but no spoilers to interfere with my plans to read the previous books. I love my cozies to have an interested theme around which the mystery and character interactions revolve, and the idea of a millinery handcrafting veils and such for brides was very interesting. I enjoyed the references to Missy’s work and her designs and the experiences with some “bridezillas” and their families...”Is that blackberry jam on the mirror?” Bretting doesn’t rely on just her third-person narrative with marvelous descriptions to illustrate the setting, personal appearance, and suspense, she includes delightful banter that solicit many emotions and illustrates well personalities and tone. I really recommend this Southern gem!

To enter to win an ebook copy of Death Comes to Dogwood Manor, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "dogwood,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 15, 2018. If entering via comment please include your email address. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast!

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.

'Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

I enjoy this cozy series and it’s southern setting with all the antebellum mansions. It’s a great place for a murder mystery. Missy and her beau, Bo, are fun characters! Thanks for reviewing, Kathleen. I already have the book, so don’t enter me. �� ��

I enjoy this Southern cozy series. The antebellum mansions make interesting settings for murders and weddings! Missy and Bo are fun characters! I have the book so don’t enter me. Thanks for the review, Kathleen. 😊📚

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